The Australian Open will develop into a 15-day occasion for the primary time in 2024 in an try to scale back the variety of late-night finishes at Melbourne Park.
The match’s scheduling was questioned in January after Andy Murray described his 4am end as a “farce”.
Now the Grand Slam has added a day and can begin on Sunday, January 14.
A minimal of two matches can be scheduled for day periods on the principle courts, quite than three, to chop the chance of evening periods being delayed.
Match director Craig Tiley stated: “We have listened to suggestions from the gamers and followers and are excited to ship an answer to minimise late finishes whereas persevering with to offer a good and equitable schedule on the stadium courts.
“The extra day will obtain this, benefiting scheduling for followers and gamers alike. The primary spherical will now be performed over three days as an alternative of two.”
The French Open can be a 15-day match, whereas Wimbledon and the US Open are performed over 14 days.
The Australian Open has staged 5 singles matches on every of the 2 primary present courts, Rod Laver Enviornment and Margaret Courtroom Enviornment, through the opening six days of previous tournaments.
Three matches happened through the day session from 11am, and two had been scheduled from 7pm for the evening session.
Whereas the minimal variety of evening matches will stay as two, it’s hoped that lowering the minimal day schedule to 2 matches will forestall the evening matches – for which there’s separate ticketing – ending painfully late.
This yr, Murray’s five-set win over Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis in spherical two began at 22:20 native time and lasted 5 hours 45 minutes, ending at 4:05am.
The British former world primary stated he managed solely three hours’ sleep following that match earlier than exiting within the subsequent spherical.